The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-03-18
WASHINGTON LETTER
trpm our Regular couespondent.I
WASHINGTON, d. c., March IA, 1887.


tFrom our Regular conespondent.l
wAsmxsros. d. G.. March IA, 1887.
Lent and the adjournment Of Con.
gress have made great calm 10 the
erst- while busy social world Of the
Capital. The change is especially
noticeable at the White House, which
has been the scene OF almost constant
and brilliant official hospitalities since
the beginning of the season. Its mis-
tress (since the departure of her mother
and death OF her grandmother) has
spent most Of the time at their country
home, to which the president drives
after the duties of the day are over,
returning in the morning.
Mrs. Cleveland is q remarkably
amiable woman, and she has constant
need OF this attribute in her present
position. Every day during the past
winter she received quantities Of notes,
cards, aud everything else in the shape
of communication, and, as young
lady visiting at the White House at
that time remarked, 'she really tried
to answer them all" Then people
would come TO see her at all sorts of in
convenient hours and she would some
times ask the usher if they were old or
young. II they we're old people che
would go down to see them no matter
when they came.
The President is Gow giving his at
tention to the selection OF Interstate
Commerce Commissioners from among
the hundreds of names that have been
recommended to him. Much of the de-
lay in announcing the appointments is
due to his desire TO select the Lest
possible men for the positions, and in
this he has been considerably restrict
ed by not being able to get the best
qualified men to serve at the moderate
salaries fixed by the law.
The law provides that it shall go in
to effect sixty days after its passage.
The time will expire on the fourth of
April, and as it is desirable that the
Commissioners should have some time
for organization and consultation be-
fore that time, it is probable that the
appointments will be announced some
time this week. Nothing has been
made known at the White House as to
who will constitute the Commission,
but it is the belief that Col. Morrison,
of Illinois Judge Cooley, of Michigan
and Col. Bragg, of Alabama, will be
three of the men selected.
Some of the most energetic and pub
lie spirited citizens of Washington are
discussing the feasibility of holding a
carnival here at the conclusion of the
National Drill in May, such as annually
takes place on Mardi Gras iu New
Orleans. Advocates of the scheme
urge that unless the carnival be pushed
through now it will be impossible TO
hold one for four years. The Presi-
dental campaign and the inauguration
ceremonies will furnish displays and
draw upon private purse strings suf
ficiently for the next two years, and the
third year will witness the grand
Knights Templar conclave. 1t is csti-
mated that any creditable Carnival will
necessitate an ontlay of $25,OOO, and
in order to save expense it is proposed
to buy or hire the costumes and ears of
the New Orleans knights of Momus
and Proteus.
Capt. Eads, who was one of the best
known men in America, has been es-
pecially we'll known in Washington
for some years past. The Eads "Jetty
system" which figured before Congress
for so many years, attracted more at
tention than any other private or cor
porate business before that body in the
last decade and half.
1t is said at the Mexican Legislation
here that the death of Capt. Eads will
not interfere with the status of the con-
cession made 70 him by the Mexican
Government for ship railway across
the Peninsula of Tehuautepec. The
concession included both Capt. Eads
and his associates in the enterprise,
and remains in force for a period of
ninety nine years. Of course his death
causes some speculation as to the prob
able fate of the scheme, as it may be
very difficult to find some one equally
well qualified to carry ont the project
Mr.. Connery, who has just been ap-
pointed to the Mexican mission, has
not declined the honor, as was reported,
but has accepted that position. The
rumor about his refusal originated in
the dissatisfaction of his friends, who
are averse to his going there on what
they consider such inadequate compen-
sation. He, himself, insists that Ameri.
can Diplomatists should be better paid.
Said he 'the pay of these positions is
just about enough to provide decent
house rent. l expect to be bankrupted
before return. "But" continued be
Qaughing) "money is not everything in
this world, you know"